Course Code: REL-ACU-0-PAHT
Hours: 1.5
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2026
Learning Objectives:
Identify the history, legal issues, challenges of diagnosis, risk factors, prevention, and long-term effects of pediatric abusive head trauma.
Recognize the clinical presentation of pediatric abusive head trauma including mechanisms of injury, specific and non-specific signs and symptoms, mandatory reporting, and cultural considerations.
Recall the components of a child abuse workup including history-taking, physical examination, diagnostic testing and imaging, and differential diagnosis.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (AHT)
Case Scenario: Infant S.
History of Shaken Baby Syndrome
Shaken Baby Syndrome and the Legal System
Diagnostic Challenges
Section 3: Child Abuse and Neglect
Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect
Types of Abuse and Neglect
Child Abuse Statistics
Risk Factors for Child Abuse and Neglect
Risk Factors for AHT
Mandatory Reporting
Cultural Considerations
Section 4: Clinical Presentation of Pediatric AHT
Case Scenario
Identification
Mechanisms of Injury
Characteristic Signs and Symptoms
Non-Specific Signs and Symptoms
Clinical Decision Screening Tools
Long-Term Effects of AHT
Section 5: Child Abuse Workup
Overview
Comprehensive Evaluation
Medical History
Physical Exam Findings
Diagnostic Studies
Differential Diagnosis
Section 6: Prevention of Pediatric AHT
Public Health Initiatives
Parent and Caregiver Education
Section 7: Clinical Vignette
Section 8: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributor
Resources
References
Instructor: Stephanie M. Smith MS, BSN, RN, CPN
Stephanie was educated and trained in New York State as a Licensed Practical Nurse where she practiced pediatric hematology/oncology nursing at the Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. She earned her Associate in Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Leadership and Administration from Excelsior College in New York. Stephanie is a Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certified, and a former PALS instructor. She has over 25 years of clinical nursing experience with expertise in acute pediatric medical surgical nursing and case management for children with medical complexity. She most recently worked at Duke Children’s Hospital as a Nurse Clinician before coming to Relias.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Basic level Physical Therapist; Beginner level Social Workers; Nursing Personnel; Occupational Therapist; in the following settings: Hospitals: Acute.
Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.
Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.
All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.